How to Use Shop-Vac for Water Pump?

After emptying the collection tank, you have to remove the filter and filter retainer. Connect the hose to the part that sucks and the shop vac should be ready for pumping water. 

How to Use Shop-Vac to Pick up Water?

A shop vac can be used to pick up water from surfaces, carpets, or any other area. Firstly, you have to remove the filter and leave the foam filter in place if your machine has one. Then, cover up the filter cage with a foam sleeve in case the water you are cleaning contains any solid particles. 

Place the vacuum cleaner on the floor. Fit the floor nozzle and vacuum up any liquid. Turn off the machine when the collection tank is just about full. After that make sure you drain out the accumulated water from the collection tank. 

How to Use Shop-Vac for Water Pump?

Turning a shop vac into a vacuum pump instead of buying a water pump is surely a cost-effective solution. There should be no need to get something else to clean the bigger water spills. While this may sound simple, you will need to understand some basics to make it work. 

Step 1: Read the Manual

First of all, you need to read the manual that comes with the shop vac. To use it as a water pump, you must determine whether it is safe to do so or not. Some shop vacs get easily damaged when used as a water pump. Reading the manual will help you figure it out in this case. 

Step 2: Empty the Collection Tank

Remove the dry dust bag if there is one and empty the collection tank if necessary. Some models come with both of them while others use the same collection tank for both purposes. 

Step 3: Remove the Filter of the Shop-Vac

Your shop vac is designed to vacuum dry things. To pump water, the process needs to be modified. You just need to remove the filter and any other part that may get in the way. Otherwise, the filter and the related parts will be damaged. 

Step 4: Attach the Vacuum Hose to the Sucking Part

Another step is to understand that you will be doing this from the end that sucks. If you do it from the end that blows, you will be spraying water all over again. To avoid that, connect the vacuum hose of the shop vac to the end that sucks. Once you have done that, you are good to go. 

Step 5: Turn on the Shop-Vac

Turn on the shop vac and begin pumping water. Depending on the model of your shop vac, you may hear a high-pitched sound when the tank is full. Stop vacuuming immediately after hearing that sound. The vacuum motor may be damaged if you keep running it when the tank is full. 

Step 6: Remove the Tank and Clean it

After unplugging the vacuum, empty the collection tank. You may do it any way you please either by removing the tank itself or the drain plug. After that, clean the inside of the tank with warm water and mild dish soap and dry it up. 

How to Use a Shop Vac to Drain a Pool?

Using a shop vac for draining a pool is not recommended. Still, if you want to do so, you have to empty your shop vacuum every twenty seconds. Remove the filter and start draining water. An important point is that you must choose a vacuum pump that holds an output hose. This is because it keeps the water flowing right back out. 

If the output hose is not able to keep up with the inflow of water, try keeping the inflow in check. Otherwise, the water will just pour back into the pond and take you back to where you started. 

How Do I Turn My Shop Vac Into a Wet Vac?

To turn your shop vac into a wet vac, make sure you have the right kind of shop vac. Check the collection tank’s capacity and clean it before using.

Shop vac comes with a filter bag that you need to install for dust and debris collection. If the vac has a filter bag, remove it. Then you have to remove the filter as you are going to drain water. Remove the filter retainer as well.

Attach the accessory for removing water from the hose. Turn on the vacuum and start cleaning. After you are done, make sure you empty the contents of the tank. 

Do I Need to Remove the Filter While Using the Shop-Vac for the Water Pump?

It is best to remove the shop vac when using it as a water pump. If you use your shop vac as a pump without removing the filter, it will damage the filter. A large amount of water will be enough to destroy the vacuum. 

Removing the filter retainer will allow the water to flow directly into the collection tank. But before, make sure to check the manual whether you will need to remove the filter or not. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a vacuum filter?

Ans: A filter is needed when cleaning dust or dry stuff. Without a good filter, you will be circulating the dust back into your room. But if you are using it for cleaning water spills only, a filter will not be necessary. 

Q: How do I choose the right shop vac? 

Ans: Lemme mark out some quick and, obviously, important factors in this regard. You have to look out for the capacity, the performance you will require, filter quality, length of the hose, tank drain, etc. Getting a wet-dry shop vac will get you covered in all kinds of cleanings.

Conclusion

A shop vac is a convenient and versatile tool. Home, office, or courtyard, it is a great tool to clean dust and water spills. It’s kinda a must for you to understand how to use and modify it accordingly. Certainly, you should prioritize getting the job done without damaging the machine.